Here in the heartland, my skin is typically less than lovely from wind and cold in March even though it is technically spring. Still, my over-50 skin is healthier, dewier, smoother, and more even-toned than a year ago thanks to some simple, mindful, and healthy skincare habits combined with quality products.

One recent skincare discovery at a medical spa has rocked my world, and I’ll dish about it in a sec.

I was never the smart sensible girl who stayed in the shade slathered in 75 spf. Nope. Directly in the sunshine (and lubed with oil on a reflective blanket circa 1978-1989…lord, have mercy!) was where I roamed. Unfortunately, a lot of visible damage to my skin (spots, lines, dryness, etc.) occurred, and it wasn’t until my diagnosis with BRCA2 genetic mutation when I learned of my heightened risk for melanoma that I became more serious about skin cancer prevention and more intentional about healthy skincare.

BTW. My sister snapped these photos of me in my favorite PJs, and I’m so grateful for her and her creative talents. We are at this moment on a road trip and will be heading to the beach tomorrow when I will be slathering on the sunscreen and keeping my nose in a book under an umbrella. Maybe we will be able to snap some pretty pics to share of the Pacific while we are enjoying it.

I do love me some beauty and skincare products, but vanity is hardly the whole picture. The health and feel of my skin means more to me than having a younger looking face in midlife, ya know? Skin is an organ, and how we baby it matters. For years, I massaged skincare and makeup products into the pores of my skin without regard for the ingredients or quality…and it showed! Unhealthy and inferior products can contain carcinogens and more that might surprise you.

I am trying to take good care of my skin by limiting sun exposure, wearing sunscreen, and applying high quailty products morning and night. This 50-something is not at all attempting to turn back the clock or look 40 again. In fact, I let go of a warrior mentality for aging, preventing cancer, and most everything else, years ago. There are enough battles out there without getting combative with my vintAGE.

Rather, as I have shared with you before, I am discovering that my body, my skin, my soul, and my cells are counting on me to embrace them more lovingly and to think good thoughts about them. I want to better care for my body and its organs (including my skin) as if it were a beloved child or my closest friend…because it sort of is.

A Game-changing Skincare Discovery

So about that gamechanging discovery…Dang! While I was in Waco to visit Fixer Upper Land, Magnolia Table, and all things Magnolia, I visited NuGenesis Medical Spa where I met a lovely dream team of nurses, including Amy and Jody. While I expected to enjoy a relaxing facial, I was thrilled to also emerge with much smoother, transformed skin from a single dermaplaning session. Have you ever treated yourself to one of these? Jody at NuGenesis skillfully used a surgical scalpel to remove dry and dead skin (and facial hair!) while I relaxed and felt no discomfort.

Dermaplaning? Totally sold on this ultimate exfoliation procedure: no pain, no down time, and instant goodness that should last about a month. Jody followed the dermaplaning session with a custom mask which felt dreamy for my dry skin. Losing the fuzzy wuzzy facial hair was definitely a bonus, and so was the WOW of the immediate improvement to visible fine lines. In the days since my visit to NuGenesis, my skin has continued to slough off to reveal healthier skin underneath. Jody mentioned makeup application would be smoother and would look better, and guess what else absorbs a whole lot better? Skincare products I love!

5 Effective Boosts for My Skin

While Jody was dermaplaning my skin, she asked if I was using a retinol product since my skin was coming off so easily. And indeed I do. My number one weapon right now for addressing fine lines, discoloration, and texture is Skinceuticals Retinol Cream 1.0 which I use nightly. (The brand didn’t ask me to review or say lovely things about this cream, and I have been using it for a couple of years now because it keeps delivering.)

2. A.G.E. Interrupter

3. A.G.E. Eye Complex

Another lovely find is this moisturizer I have been using daily on my face and neck and am CRAY CRAY for. Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme is just the right weight, and it smells and feels like the sort of rich cream you might expect at the end of an expensive facial at the spa.

When you are using a retinol product like I am, you need a good exfoliation product, and I still use and love Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner. I use it in the shower, and its brilliant. Just a reminder, this is girlfriend talk and not a sponsored post for Aveda (though I would love to work with you, Aveda!).

6 Comments

I love those white cotton pjs. I bet they’re fabulously comfortable, too. Those NuGenesis nurses have amazing complexions! They’re walking advertisements. My skin has turned all finicky in menopause. My doctor put me onto Avène products, which are made not far from me using supposedly miraculous (seriously) waters. As for the sun, I quit. I wear lots of hats and lots of sunblock and sleeves always. When I’m poolside or at the beach, I wear swimshorts (comfortable–no need to burn my buns when sitting down), a bikini top as a bra and a long-sleeved, high-necked mega-SPF rash guard. The overall look is fierce surfer, which is OK with me because my beach babe days are over. I don’t like swim dresses because the skirts float, and they don’t cover the arms. My arms show the sun damage from my years of living in Africa.

I live in these organic cotton PJs and was sold after I saw a video of them being made in India. I remember you recommending Avene when I split my head open and was whining about a scar! French products are so incredible for skin. Fierce surfer sounds perfect, sun damaged arms or otherwise. I love it!!!

Thank you for sharing the skin care products you are using. I am on my own journey searching for better products for my 64 year old skin. It’s nice to have an honest review before spending so much on these products.